Large aqua park still planned
From local democracy David Hill:
Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District
Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park concept beyond its temporary aqua play park.
Trust vice-chairperson Jason Mill said the project is largely on track, despite the challenges of Covid-19.
‘‘When we first started out, 2024 was always our target so we are still on track to get a shovel in the ground by then.’’
The memorandum of understanding set aside land in the former red zone to the north of Kaiapoi River, while the trust undertook market research, water testing and a feasibility study for the project.
The trust was also granted a three-year license to occupy last year to operate an aqua play park on Courtenay Lake to the south of the river from October to April, with Kaikanui Aqualand NZ running the operation on behalf of the trust.
Despite the wet summer and a delay in getting under way, Mill said there were 15,000 paying customers to the play park from all over New Zealand.
‘‘We brought 25,000 people including spectators into Kaiapoi, so it gives us some confidence that it will work. We now have two more seasons to up our game.
‘‘We might pull 30,000 to 40,000 people, so we have been talking to Enterprise North Canterbury to see how we can get people to spend more time in Kaiapoi and support other businesses.’’
Now that the council has completed work on a stormwater main to north of the river, the trust has been able to begin hydrology tests on the proposed site of the larger aqua sports park, Mill said.
He said the land will need to be remediated and he estimated it could cost $40 million to construct the first stage.
Stage one is likely to incorporate the inflatable park, cable boarding and a small surf park, possibly with some kayaking.
The longer term project will cost upwards of $80m.
The money is expected to come from investors and proceeds from the aqua play park.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a report was being prepared for councillors to consider.
‘‘The two years has gone pretty quick and I think everyone would agree it hasn’t been the easiest two years.
‘‘We need to look at it in more detail and consider what do they still need to provide us with, what is the critical path we need to follow and how long they might need.’’
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the play park had proven itself and he was looking forward to seeing the report from council staff.
Residents had raised concerns about being able to access the area around the lake for recreation, water quality, impacts on wildlife and the presence of crowds of people.
‘‘There were some legitimate concerns raised, but through good management the trust has been able to put people’s minds at ease,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘And if this last summer is a small picture of what the future will look like then we obviously need to have a look at the big picture. It has the potential to benefit everybody.’’
The trust had been successful in meeting its own community objectives and raising goodwill, including planting trees, offering learning opportunities and giving away free passes to local school children.
Councillors were due to discuss the aqua sports park proposal this week.
Canterbury kura expansion finally begins
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
There is a sense of relief at Waimakariri’s only Māori immersion school, as work on its expansion finally begins.
Te Kura o Tuahiwi, which sits between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, is set to receive six new classrooms and a new hall to support its growing school roll.
Board of trustees chairperson Charlie Agi said the build has taken years of planning.
Work had been due to get under way last December, but was put on hold while the Ministry of Education reviewed 352 building projects.
‘‘It has come a long way,’’ Agi said.
‘‘To see the work of past members of the board have put in to get to this point, it is amazing. It is awesome.
‘‘The board has shown some resilience to keep pushing.’’
Ministry of Education spokeswoman Sandra Orr said the new classrooms include four for roll growth and the replacement of two classrooms.
The classrooms are being manufactured offsite and will be open for the beginning of term two next year, with the hall due to open in term four.
Principal Dot Singh said the delays have been frustrating, but she is excited for her tamariki to have new classrooms.
‘‘When I came in (two years ago) we were doing the planning and then we were told they were changing the plans, and then it was going ahead - and then it stopped,’’ Singh said.
She said she then wrote a two-page letter to the ministry and to Education Minister Erica Stanford to emphasis the school’s special character.
The school is the only kura between Christchurch and Kaikōura ‘‘to meet the needs of whānau who want immersion and bilingual education’’.
The kura has a roll of 179 pupils, with another 22 already pre-enrolled for this term and the beginning of next year.
The hall is designed to hold 250 people, meaning the kura will finally be able to hold full school assemblies, prizegivings and indoor sports.
‘‘Our tamariki love basketball,’’ Singh said.
The kura regularly supports the marae across the road by hosting people on site before they are welcomed on to the marae.
‘‘When the Māori Queen visited last month, they all assembled here before they went over to the marae.’’
Having the hall will provide the option of hosting visitors indoors, and allowing sports to continue in the winter and when it is raining, she said.
Singh said the extra space will also allow the kura to offer a Te Puna Reo group (pre-school) for 4-year-olds to help them to prepare for school.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77.3% Yes
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21.8% No
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
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